First Deaf Seanad nomination in the history of the State

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On Monday morning, February 24th at 9am, history was made in Leinster House at the offices of the Seanad Returning Officer.

Dr. John Bosco Conama, a lifelong Deaf rights activist, Academic and leading light in the Deaf community, was nominated to the Seanad by both the Irish Deaf Society (the National Association of the Deaf) and Chime (the National Charity for Deafness and Hearing Loss).

Lianne Quigley, Chairperson of the Irish Deaf Society says “The Irish Sign Language Act was passed in 2017 recognising ISL as the third official language of Ireland. Since then we have seen Deaf candidates come forward to stand in the local elections and now, in 2020, Dr. John Bosco Conama is standing for election on the National stage. This is a clear sign that our community wants to participate in political life. Today is an historic day for our community in Ireland and will be an inspiration for Deaf communities throughout the world. If elected John Bosco will champion the rights of minorities in Ireland and will be an advocate for accessibility and Irish Sign Language.”

Speaking outside Leinster House, CEO John Sherwin said “Irish Sign Language is the first and preferred language of the Deaf community. Challenges facing a Deaf person can include English literacy, limited opportunities for further education and career advancement, all of which can lead to mental health issues and poverty. On a daily basis Deaf men, women and children face exclusion from State services. Our community is entitled to representation at the highest levels. The board of IDS is honoured to propose Dr. John Bosco Conama for nomination today.”

Dr. John Bosco has been a member of the Irish Deaf Society since 1986. In that time he has served on the Board of IDS as Director, Secretary and Chairperson. He is Assistant Professor and Director of the Centre for Deaf Studies in Trinity College and has a PhD, M.Litt and BA in Social Policy and Equality Studies. In 2019 he was appointed to serve on the first statutory advisory committee in Ireland to support monitoring of Ireland’s implementation of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD).

The Irish Deaf Society is a Deaf led, national, rights based DPO (disabled persons’ organisation) and a member of the World Federation of the Deaf and the European Union of the Deaf.

ENDS

Please hold any press until after launch announcement on Monday morning at 9am.

Please include images to be supplied by Mark Stedman 086 367 9394 (following photo shoot on Monday morning at 9)

Contact: John Sherwin CEO - 089 427 8663
[email protected]
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